to think many politicians who claim to be Christians and who say this is a Christian country really aren't Christians and would criticise the teachings of Jesus

[cakeorwine]

Lee Anderson saying this is a Christian country and complaining about some councils celebrating Ramada with lights.

"But let’s turn our attention back to traditional values for a second. The last time I checked Britain is a Christian country, it is enshrined in our law. So why is it that one of the most important religious festivals in the country is not proudly celebrated in the nation’s capital? Just like Labour, the Tories also refuse to stand up for Christian values it seems. Their candidate for the Westminster constituency said the lights were to be “welcomed” before paying trivial lip service to the promotion of other religions and their holy days. Under successive Tory governments British culture, identity, and values have ebbed away, and the rate at which they are doing so seems to be rapidly increasing.
Let me be clear, this isn’t an attack on Islam or any other religion. I firmly and absolutely respect the rights of individuals to celebrate their faith, but who in the establishment is standing up for the Christian values that made our country so great and revered across the globe? Can you honestly believe that if the shoe were on the other foot, a Muslim country would decorate its capital city with Easter decorations during Ramadan?"

'UK is Christian – it's time to demand our country back' | Express Comment | Comment | Express.co.uk

Farage saying that he has stopped going to church because of what someone said

"Mr Farage said: "I won't go to my local church, I won't go. I am christened and confirmed in the Church of England, all my family on both sides have been Church of England.
"I used to believe in it, I used to attend, not every Sunday but regularly during the year, I will not go. It is hopeless, they've given up, they've surrendered."
Nigel Farage reveals why he has stopped going to church: 'It is hopeless!' | Politics | News | Express.co.uk

I firmly believe that these two, as well as other politicians who claim to be Christian and to believe in Christian values would be the first to have Jesus locked up for his views. They would not understand the story of the Good Samaritan.

I say this as someone who is not a Christian but who can see what Jesus was trying to say about helping others and particular values.

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
1 John 2:6

Then read the New Testament to see how Jesus lived. His morals, behaviour, and the company he kept bears no resemblance to Nigel Farage and his ilk. 😂

I have to say, it's put a pep in my step hearing this. He's a dreadful specimen.

I’m not sure many of the more “fundamentalist” Christians take much notice of the New Testament - it’s all smiting and condemning sex they don’t like the idea of

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

1 John 1:8^^

So, nobody is sinlessly perfect according to John, but we should strive not to sin.

I am in no way defending Nigel Farage though - yikes

There is a special kind of hypocrisy when someone campaigns against the rights of gay people based on their idea of "sexual immorality" and then turns out to be a rapist.

Jesus is not absent from the OT. He may not be referred to by name but the coming Messiah is one prophesied through the OT - the first reference to Him is in Genesis 3.

Other well-known references are Isaiah 53, Isaiah 9 and Psalm 22 (where we hear the voice of Christ describe the experience of the cross). That’s just off the top of my head. The prophesies and types and symbols of the OT are fulfilled in the NT.

Didn't feature much.

And the messages of Jesus and his teachings - pretty much New Testament stuff.

Love thy neighbour and all

I haven't RTFT. I used to be part of an evangelical crew in my teens, am not a Christian any more but studied the bible intensely back then.

I see Jesus as a socialist, regardless of the spiritual side, so from that POV YANBU because the people you mention are right wing. Sorry if this has been mentioned upthread anywhere.

I'm thinking of his attitude towards the hypocritical pharisees, and him going nuts with the moneylenders in the temple.

I’m just interested in where you got this understanding. Where in the Bible does Christ preach or demonstrate tolerance?

Yes, He welcomed those who society despised, e.g. tax-collectors and prostitutes. But He expected them to repent of their sins, not just to carry on doing what they were doing.

Zacchaeus vowed to give half of his wealth to the poor and to pay back everyone he had cheated with interest.

When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him Christ said “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” But to the woman he said “Neither do I condemn you; go now and sin no more.” He didn’t say “carry on doing what you’re doing.”

When He met the Samarian woman at the well He didn’t seem particularly tolerant of her lifestyle.

Yes, He loved all these people, but He wasn’t tolerant of their sin. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

A Christian is NOT someone who has nice fluffy lefty political opinions, and who believes that Jesus just wants us to #bekind.

A Christian is someone who recognises that they are a sinner who was far from God, but who trusts in Jesus's death on the cross as the only way to be saved and reconciled to their Creator.
A Christian believes that Christ Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of all, the Messiah who was promised to be the "snake crusher" from as early as the Genesis story, defeating death and Satan once and for all.
A Christian believes that Jesus was raised from the dead, is ruling in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, and will one day return to judge the world. Those who trust in Jesus's saving death (salvation by grace, NOT good deeds) will be brought into his kingdom to live with him forever.
While we wait for Jesus's return (either after we die, in the future, or in our lifetime) a Christian's job is to advance God's kingdom by telling people the Good News that God loved us enough to take the punishment that we deserve in our place, by coming to the world as a despised, poor human and dying a criminal's death, despite being completely innocent, so that we could have life and a relationship with God.

Where in the Bible does Christ preach or demonstrate tolerance?

Matthew 7:1?

Jesus was about grace, NOT tolerance. Not at all. He called people to repent of their sins and be welcomed into the kingdom of God.

This is an instruction to those who were listening to him - to us. It doesn't mean that God won't judge. The Bible says again and again that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.

Yes, so it’s God’s job to judge. Not ours.

It's not saying "You're all fine. Just continue as you are and don't judge." It's basically saying, don't think you're so much more righteous than the person next to you, because every single human on the planet is a sinner who needs saving.

Indeed, a Christian isn't someone who wants to change people's lifestyles, because that doesn't achieve anything. A Christian is someone who tells people the Good News, like one beggar to another, that even though we are lost, Jesus died for us so that we can have life with him. That Jesus will return to judge, but that if we trust in his saving death and follow Him, we have absolutely nothing to fear.

Indeed- love the sinner, hate the sin.

Which Christian values would you like the politicians to embrace?
Banning abortion?
Making it illegal to be LGBT?
Promoting the idea that women should be homemakers, raising the kids, while the men go out to work?

And so on - just have a look at some of the things happening in the US to see how that turns out.

Those aren't Christian values

@Canyousewcushions

I'm glad you responded to this thread.

I wish I could say things as eloquently as you. Your post about colonialism was excellent.

Matthew 5:44. Jesus didn't tolerate sin but he did preach tolerance, to love our enemy and turn the other cheek.

@Churchview

Great post re meeting their maker.

This thread is such a good fit for this meme. It's remarkable how often you see non-Christians making these kinds of arguments about what Jesus would do at actual Christians.

I agree!